Finally!

After almost 2 weeks since handing in my last assignment, all my grades are in. Not a great semester, but I can't complain.

A few hours of work today and at 2:30 this afternoon I'm off until Jan 3rd. Ohhh, sweet Christmas break!

10 Years Later

So I'm a week behind, but last Tuesday was the 10th anniversary of my first Phish show (12/11/97). I was in the middle of my senior year of high school and had just been turned on to the band a month earlier after being entrenched in the punk/hardcore scene for several years. After two sets and a short encore I was completely a sold on the hippie/jamband world.

Seven years and 15+ shows later, Danielle and I spent 2.5 days in traffic on the highway just trying to get into their last show in VT (major rain had made it nearly impossible for them to get people into the camping area).

There is nothing quite like the interplay & music of those four guys. Hopefully one of the reunion rumors will pan out, hopefully...

Changing blog address!

When I setup the blog (which I'm recommitting to posting on regularly) I used the cute name "yankee boy in texas". However, I'm going to switch over to just using my name, it just seems more straightforward and clear.

The new address will be www.jessejsaunders.blogspot.com

If anyone's actually reading this (Kevin, this means you; anyone else...Beuller?) update your links.

Thanks!

Alaska, Africa, and SE Asia

This past Sunday the Vista had a strong mission focus (as though we don't usually). Hearing from the Bedwell's as they're about to head to Alaska with the dream of planting a church and the Africa team who just returned from 11 days in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and talking to the Cofield's as they prepare for SE Asia, I was hit by people's need for the gospel in a new way.

I grew up in a church that gave a little bit of money to some missionaries, had them come through for for a Sunday afternoon talk every once in a while, but overall didn't seem excited and motivated to work on reaching out to people where they were at. I'm so proud to be involved with a church that, despite it's relatively small size, is so moved to go and tell people and do so in a way that isn't always comfortable and easy, because it's necessary.